FYI, I made some adjustments to a few of this week's prompts because the ones provided just weren't working for me. But when it comes to any of the books I'm working in, I really love to play around with color and penmanship. I think it's really fun to mix up fonts! I also added simple artwork and a couple of embellishments from my stash, like a honu [sea turtle] and a piece of filmstrip washi tape.

That's it for today! Want more? Check back next week! In the meantime, feel free to browse my other 365/30 Lists. Or take a peek at my Filofax posts!

You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a lister? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Yesterday I shared my Unboxing: Beauty Box 5 for July, and now it's time to reveal the products I received from this month's Ipsy Glam Bag! And I have to say, Ipsy is definitely my favorite service that I subscribe to. Although I only started getting beauty boxes since a few months ago, the experience I've had with ipsy is the most enjoyable! From the pretty makeup bags and the fun products that fill them, to the inspirational website and the beauty community within it... I love everything about ipsy!

Ipsy is a $10- monthly subscription service where members receive a Glam Bag filled with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty and makeup products. For me, the value of the bags has exceeded the cost of the monthly service! I've discovered so many new products and brands that I wouldn't normally buy on my own. There are great discounts on the products I try and love, and it's a really awesome way to build my makeup collection!

July's theme is "Sensationally Sunkissed." It's perfect for the contents of this month's bag which is all about Summer! Did I mention it's my favorite time of the year? I'm really loving bright pops of color these days... on my lips, in my clothes and accessories, on my Filofax, everywhere! When I saw this neon pink scalloped makeup bag I was in love! The items inside also work with the Simple. Summer. Beauty. and makeup look I'm using this season too.

I'm already a fan of this brand and so excited to sample one of their newest products! Although I don't typically wear cream eyeshadow, the 5-in-1 claim is very intriguing... Long-Wear Color, Prime, Brighten, Smooth, and Protect. Not sure if the shade is me, but it sounds like it'll be a really great eyeshadow base. I can't wait to try it out!

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil - SPF 08

$11.99 for 8 fl oz / $1.49 for 1 fl oz

Being Hawaiian and spending a tiny part of my childhood on the islands, I'm pretty familiar with tanning oil. Besides the ocean, it's one of the very distinct scents on the beaches of Hawaii. I actually love the smell... coconut and tropical. Now living in the Pacific NW, 9 months out of the year we get nothing but rain. No sunshine means my naturally tan skin is pretty much non-existent. In the summer I like to soak up the sun to bring back that natural tan I was born with, and have some protection too! But this oil doesn't provide enough SPF to really make it useful. Not sure if I'll be using it...

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm in Pretty Pink

$14- for 3 g / Sample: $8.40 for 1.8 g

If you know me, you know that I love lip products! And these chubby crayons are a current obsession! I really like Pixi and I'm glad I got my hands on one of these little guys! It may not be full-size but this adorable mini is awesome! The formula is very moisturizing, and it smells fresh and minty. The shade comes out as a subtle rosy pink on my pigmented lips. It's very natural and pretty.

POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer in Secret Sunshine

Retail Value: $10- for .25 oz

Who doesn't love getting a full-size product? Although I don't use bronzer often [I also have one by e.l.f. and Wet 'n Wild], I'm excited to try out a new brand. I'm pretty familiar with POP Beauty having seen older ipsy unboxings on You Tube, but this is my first time getting an item by them. The shade of this bronzer is quite pretty. I haven't worn it yet, but in the pan it appears to have a shimmer.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray

$19.95 for 5.1 fl oz / Sample: $7 for 1.7 fl oz

I've heard wonderful things about this brand, and I was pretty stoked to get this beach spray which I've always wanted to try! This formula helps heal hair damage with the power of Argan Oil. It has many other healthy hair ingredients like Soy Protein to nourish and strengthen hair and Cocoa Extract to condition and protect it. Sea Salt provides that textured beachy feel. This spray smells pretty amazing too! I can't wait to use it... it's like Summer in a Bottle.

Total Value of July's Bag: $32.89

$10- Monthly Subscription

Now you can see why I love ipsy so much! If this is a service that you're curious about, I definitely think it's worth the money. You can also take a beauty survey that helps ipsy match products suited to what you use and like. And reviewing the items you receive each month helps ipsy personalize your Glam Bag even more! You'll also earn ipsy points that can be redeemed for free products!

Feel free to browse my other Beauty and Unboxing posts. If you're already a Glam Bag subscriber, check out my profile on ipsy. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a Beauty Box Addict? Which ones are your favorite? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Monday, July 21, 2014

I was super excited to find my beauty boxes waiting for me in my mailbox over the weekend. It feels like my birthday each and every month! I've only been getting them for the last few months, but I must admit that I'm already hooked! It's such a fun way to discover new brands and products, try items I wouldn't typically purchase on my own, get great discounts on the products I fall in love with, and an awesome way to build my makeup and beauty collection :)

Beauty Box 5 is a $12- subscription service. Each month you get 5 deluxe/full-size samples delivered right to your door. The value of my products has always exceeded the monthly cost of my box! If this is a type of service that you're curious about, it's definitely worth it in my opinion!

The theme for BB5's July beauty box is "Defining Moments." Although it wasn't as impressive as previous months, I'm still pretty happy about the products I received. The thing I love most about BB5 is how they send me a variety of products ranging from hair, skincare, and makeup. My box never seems too heavy with one specific type of product. I also like how they include organic/natural products every month too!

Here is what I got this month:

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara in Blackest Black

Retail Value: $7.99 for .24 fl oz

I love getting full-size makeup products in my beauty boxes! This is actually the 2nd tube of mascara I've gotten from BB5. I get them so often in my various boxes that I currently have 3 unopened tubes waiting to be tested! Right now I have a favorite mascara that I use on a day-to-day basis, so I'm not sure when I will be trying this one. But since I have so many new tubes, I think I'll start layering them with my favorite one... Maybe I'll come up with the perfect mascara combo!

HASK Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment

Retail Value: $2.49 for 1.75 oz

I'm not a fan of foil packets because they never provide enough product to give it a good test run. But surprisingly, I actually like this one! It has just enough product for 2-3 uses. I'm really big on hair care products and I've been meaning to try one with Argan oil. My hair could use a deep conditioning right now, so this hair mask is perfect!

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips in Grape Lollipop

Retail Value: $3.99 for .09 oz

Lip products are an all-time favorite. Let it be lipstick, lip gloss, or a balm like this one... I love 'em all! Since my lips tend to be on the dry side, I ALWAYS carry a lip balm with me. And it's really cool when I get them in my beauty boxes! This moisturizing lip balm is infused with beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E. It tastes and smells just like a grape lollipop! And I'm not the only one who loves it... so does my little one and the Hubby ;-)

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub

$10.99 for 4 fl oz / Sample: $2.75 for 1 oz

I really love natural skincare products and I get really excited when I find one in my beauty box. BB5 has introduced me to some wonderful all-natural brands. This vegan scrub is infused with moisturizing botanicals for safe and gentle exfoliation without parabens, harsh chemicals, or artificial ingredients. I exfoliate twice a week, which does wonders for my skin! So I'm really looking forward to trying out this scrub.

Miss Jessie's Multicultural Curls

$16- for 8.5 oz / Sample: FREE

Like I mentioned earlier, I don't care for foil packets. And this is the product that really disappoints me . Not because it's a foil packet [the size is pretty decent], but because it's a sample that anyone can get for free from Miss Jessie's. I actually received this same exact freebie directly from Miss Jessie's website a couple of months ago. Honestly, I don't think it's fair that we're getting these types of items in a PAID beauty box service. It kind of feels like I was robbed of an item this month...

Anyway, I haven't had the chance to test out this product yet [which I now have two samples of], but it seems like it's right up my alley. I tend to go natural during the summer, limiting my use of heat-styling tools. So I'm ready to try anything that helps enhance my naturally curly hair.

Value of July's Box: $17.22

$12- Monthly Subscription

Although this month's box had a low-value compared to the others I've previously gotten, I really like most of the products I received. Sometimes the items in these beauty boxes may be a hit or miss, but it's all part of the fun! Overall, they really are a great value for your money. And there are so many different subscription services to choose from!

Don't forget to check out June's BB5 and Ipsy unboxing, if you haven't already. And stay tuned, because next I'll be unboxing my July Glam Bag from Ipsy!

If you're interested in subscribing to Beauty Box 5, please sign up using my link.

Feel free to browse the other Beauty posts on my blog! You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you addicted to beauty boxes? Which ones are you subscribed to? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Hello, Lovelies! I don't know about you, but I love watching the Empties videos from my favorite beauty gurus on YouTube. I really enjoy discovering new products, and usually if it's in a Empties video it obviously worked for them and they like it a lot. I've tried all sorts of different products from recommendations I've seen on YT and beauty blogs.

I decided to start saving all of our empty health and beauty care containers too. Since we use lots of different products everyday, I thought it would be cool to share the stuff our family goes through each month. This will be another fun series...

I keep all of our empty packages and containers in a large metal bucket that I thrifted from our local Goodwill last year. It was only $.99! How could I pass it up? Pink happens to be my favorite color, and the saying and image couldn't be more perfect. It's gotten a couple scratches over time, but no big deal... it is holding trash! I added an "Empties" tag secured with twine just in case someone mistakes it for the actual garbage can.

THE PRODUCTS WE USED UP IN JUNE

Cleansing Towelettes Makeup Remover Wipes byUp & Up[$3.64 from Target]: This was just okay for me. It didn't work any better than the standard baby wipes that I use to remove my makeup sometimes. But the main reason I didn't like it is because it isn't very gentle. It actually burned my sensitive skin a bit.

Foamin' Fun Shampoo & Bodywash in Lavender byBabyGanics[$9.99 from Target]: Our daughter has been a "green" baby since she was in the womb. And the only things that touch her skin are made from organic and natural ingredients. The handy pump on this product disperses foamy soap that serves double-duty as a shampoo and body wash! It's the 3rd bottle we've gone through... definitely a favorite!

Fresh High Endurance Deodorant by Old Spice [3 oz / $3.97 from Walmart]: The Hubby really likes this brand's antiperspirant and deodorant. He's gone through hundreds of these over the last decade! Walmart sells them as a 2-pack at a really affordable price.

Macadamia Oil Shampoo by Organix [13 fl oz / $4.99 from Fred Meyer]: I'm currently finishing up a huge bottle of Cleansing Conditioner by Wen, but once a week I give my hair a really good shampooing. I've used this brand for years and have tried many of the different lines. This one is for dry and damaged hair. OGX is also eco-friendly and cruelty-free!

NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black [.17 fl oz / $2.74 from Walmart]: I've repurchased this so many times! It's not a favorite, but I do like it. The applicator is really easy to work with and the black formula has a pearly finish.

Colgate Total Whitening Gel Toothpaste [6 oz / $2.96 from Walmart]: This is the only toothpaste we ever purchase. Although we've tried many different kinds, it's the one we always go back to. It leaves our whole mouth feeling fresh and clean all day long.

Gentle Saline Wipes for Stuffy Noses by Boogie Wipes [10 ct. / $1.00 from Dollar Tree]: We'll purchase this over and over again as long as our little one lets us wipe her nose. If you're a parent, you know with kids comes runny noses. And you also know what that leads too... These handy little wipes clean stubborn boogies and soothe sore little noses. Always prepared, we keep one of these 10 ct. travel packs in our car, another one in my handbag, and a 30 ct. pack at home!

Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub by Clean & Clear [5 oz / $4.99 from Target]: We've been using this for years. It's one of the few products that we ALWAYS buy when we run out! The reason we love this one so much is because of the tingly sensation you get when you apply it. We've tried so many other facial exfoliating scrubs, but none of them are quite like this one. It's a MUST-HAVE! And our skin feels so clean and smooth after we use it.

Homeopathic Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids by Hyland's [4 oz / $4.99 from Walmart]: Generations of children in my family have used this natural health care line. And this is another one of those products that we repurchase when it's gone. When she gets sick I feel safe letting her take this, and it's just as effective as the other brands of cold medicine available for children.

Homeopathic Cold 'n Cough 4 Kids Nighttime by Hyland's [4 oz / $4.99 from Walmart]: This is a great companion to the product I previously mentioned. It really helps her sleep and she doesn't wake up feeling groggy. The multi-symptom formula soothes all of her discomforts.

That's the last of it! I hope you enjoyed today's post :) Be sure to check back next month for July's Empties! In the meantime, feel free to browse my other Beauty posts. You can also stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Have you tried any of the products I mentioned? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

I hope you're enjoying your summer so far! Life has been lovely here. And it feels really good to be writing daily again... even if it's something as simple as a list. Today I'll be sharing the next set of completed pages from my 365/30 Lists journal.

I ended up making some adjustments to a couple of this week's prompts. I also played around with different fonts and added some art to fill up some empty space on one of the pages. I even added a transparent neon arrow sticky from my Filofax stash!

That's all I have for you today! I hope you liked my post :) Want more? Check back next week! In the meantime, feel free to browse my other 365/30 Lists. Or take a peek at my Filofax posts!

You can stay updated on my recent posts, projects, and photos by following me on instagram, or by "liking" my fan page on Facebook. So why not head over there now and show some love...

Are you a lister? Any thoughts, questions, or comments about this post? I'd love to hear it! Your feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.

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